Description
This Pizza Pull-Apart Bread is a fun and delicious appetizer or snack that’s perfect for sharing. A crusty loaf of Italian bread is sliced in a crisscross pattern, loaded with melted butter, aromatic spices, gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and layered with pepperoni slices. Wrapped in foil and baked until warm and melty, it’s ideal for dipping in pizza sauce and enjoying with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Butter
- 1 loaf of Italian bread (or French bread)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (or more, depending on your preference)
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the loaf of bread in a crisscross pattern, creating a grid of squares. Take care not to cut all the way through the bottom of the loaf so that it remains intact. The cuts should be deep enough to allow for filling, but the bread should stay connected at the base.
- Add the Butter and Seasoning: Brush the melted butter thoroughly into each cut and crevice of the bread. Evenly sprinkle the garlic powder, dried oregano, and optional crushed red pepper flakes over the entire loaf, ensuring all parts are well seasoned.
- Add the Cheese and Pepperoni: Stuff the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan into each cut of the bread. Tuck slices of pepperoni between the layers so every piece of bread is infused with cheesy and pepperoni flavors.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the stuffed loaf tightly in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the bread is warmed through and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bread from the oven and unwrap the foil. Serve hot alongside the pizza sauce for dipping. Enjoy tearing apart each flavorful, cheesy square!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni or substitute with sliced vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Feel free to add extra herbs such as fresh basil or parsley for more aroma and flavor.
- Use a serrated bread knife to ensure clean and easy cuts without crushing the loaf.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven wrapped in foil to restore the melted cheese texture.
- Customize with additional toppings like olives, cooked sausage, or different cheeses as desired.
